4 hurt in militia base attack

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — Four persons were wounded when unidentified men assaulted a paramilitary detachment in Lamitan, Basilan on Sunday night.

Romy Mangkabung of the Civilian Active Auxiliary; his wife Mamay, 33; their nephew Kabibong Mangkabung, 10, and Nasira Morino, 27, daughter of another CAA member, were taken to the Lamitan City District Hospital for treatment, according to Brig. Gen. Domingo Gobway, chief of the Joint Task Force Basilan and the Army’s 101st Brigade.

Gobway said the armed men – believed to be led by Abaas Jangkatan, alias Masbir, and Saddam Siddick – assaulted the CAA detachment in Barangay Sabong at around 7:30 p.m.

The militia managed to return fire, prompting the armed men to retreat.

A pursuit operation has been launched for the suspects, whom the military described as ordinary lawless elements and not Abu Sayyaf bandits.

Gobway expressed belief that the attack was in retaliation for the killing of a certain alias Tarzan and three others in an operation in Barangay Baas, which is located near the Sabong pa-trol base. – John Unson